South Portland bans smoking from public places

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SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — It’s going to get harder to find a place to light up in South Portland.

The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to ban smoking from the city’s public parks, beaches, playgrounds and fields.

The prohibition covers about 50 properties and includes the popular Willard Beach, Greenbelt trail and Wainwright Recreation Complex.

The language of the ordinance says smoking will not be allowed within 25 feet of those places. But the council changed the language of the ordinance to ensure the setback doesn’t apply to residents’ homes.

The Portland Press Herald said anyone who doesn’t heed warnings can be fined $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense and $500 for each subsequent offense.